Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Fluoride

Here is a popular topic to talk about - no, no, not really. You have two very polarized sides of this debate. Lets take a look at their positions and explore why this is an important topic.

Government stance: Fluoride is a safe substance to use and it helps prevent dental cavities.

Non-government stance: Fluoride is a poison that disturbs many biochemical functions such as the immune system and neurological health.

My point: Risking cancer and neurological problems for the sake of fewer cavities makes no sense, and studies that show lower cavitations from its use are questionable.

Fluoride is a mineral that is the most electro-negative element. This means it is an oxidizer and oxidants can be bad. It was added to the water supply after World War II in which it was reported that the Germans used fluoride for sedative purposes of its prisoners with the purpose of limiting uprisings. Fluoride is a toxic byproduct from industrial applications and the sale of it to municipal water facilities was based on the premise of reducing dental cavities.

Like most things, there are always two sides of the coin, a ying and yang of sorts. Unfortunately the flip side of the fluoride coin has some pretty nasty traits. Of course you learn in sales to accentuate the positive and downplay the negative, a simple principle that works. Call this 'good sales techniques' or call it manipulation, or call it lying, you take your pick.

The downside of fluoride is much more than the upside of preventing a few cavities. Sort of like a 800 pound gorilla on one side of the teeter totter and a 5th grade boy on the other. By the way, cavities are caused by biofilm bacteria, so cavities can be prevented by mechanically scrubbing the biofilms away (brushing) and with the use of essential oils which Listerine contains four of those. Throw away the fluoride, scrub the biofilm bacteria away with brushing and swish some Listerine or other mouthwash that has essential oils in them. Link or this Link

Back to the downside of fluoride, the problem is that there is just not one downside but lets try 5 downsides and most of them are pretty ugly.

A. The Brain: Studies show that fluoride causes the following problems: reduced IQ, damage to the memory center (hippocampus), formation of beta-amyloid plaques. (2) etc.

B The immune system: Many studies have shown that fluoride disrupts the immune system. The Department of Health in New Jersey found that bone cancer in male children was between two and seven times greater in areas where water was fluoridated.. Fluoride proliferates tumors (3)

C. The remaining three downsides (short list) are thyroid inhibition, bone formation and reproductive health. And there are more.

Dr. William Hirzy, EPA scientist, stated that "fluoride (that is added to municipal water) is a hazardous waste product for which there is substantial evidence of adverse health effects and, contrary to public perception, virtually no evidence of significant benefits"

In the United States, municipalities not using fluoride are the minority. Europe is much more progressive when dealing with fluoride, 97% of western Europe has chosen fluoride-free water . This includes: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland. (While some European countries add fluoride to salt, the majority do not.) Thus, rather than mandating fluoride treatment for the whole population, western Europe allows individuals the right to choose, or refuse, fluoride. (1)